Photographic apparatus



Feb.. 7, 1928.

POWERS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS original Filed Feb. 19, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Uli/7 THTK To 7. W Y/720672 L0 Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,057

F. T. POWERS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS original Filed Feb. 19, 191s 4 sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1928. l 1,658,057

l F. T. POWERS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 19, 1918v 4.SheetS-Sheet 5 Feb,.--7, 1928.

F.' T. POWERS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I nnen/Lor Original Filed Feb. 19, 1918 fifa?" g Il O Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK T. POWERS, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PHOTO GRAPH Substitute for application Serial No. 218,059, led February 19, 1918.

ASSIGNOR TO POWERS PHOTO ENGRAVING: A 'CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

TC APPARATUS.

This application mea Ju1y`24, 1923.

Serial No. 653,618.

The invention relates to photographic apparatus, and in certain respects more particularly to apparatus which is especially adapted for copying work.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter, and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention; suchk objects and advantages being attained through the means and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, herein referred to and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the 'description serve to explain the principles thereof.

Of the drawings Fig. l is a plan, largely diagrammatic, of a mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, through the camera shown in the lower left hand corner of Fig. l, taken substantially on the line 2 2;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in sect-ion and further enlarged, of the throw olf for the feed rolls for the sensitized web;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of the rear of the camera, that is, the right hand end in Fig. 2, showing certain controls for the feedingmechanisin for the sensitized web;l

Fig. 5 is a detail of the gauge or stop shown at the top of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, sectional detail, on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4,'

Fig. 7 is a perspective, fragmentary detail of a part of the roller actuating and controlling mechanism of Fig. 6, shown on a larger scale;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in vertical elevation and partly in vertical section, of the copy holding mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view, on a further enlarged scale, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the clamp or lock for the copy holder, and is taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail showing the copy holder adapted to hold a book.

In certain kinds of photographic work, and more especially in photographic copying for process and other reproduction, and for other kin-ds of work, it is essential that the originals be enlarged or reduced with great accuracy and precision, that the Work be exactly centered and that it be absolutely sharply focused. As ordinarily practiced these operations require much careful scrutiny, thought and labor and they consume a great deal of time on the part of skilled and highly paid operatives, and frequently the performance of one operation 'disturbs the arrangements or positioning previously made in effecting one of the others. By the present invention the foregoing functions or operations are simultaneously performed or effected by simply bringing the camera and copy holder to indicated and corresponding positions. Furthermore, by this invention, such positioning, sizing, centering and focusing of the work is practically instantaneous and simultaneous, and requires no line adjustments by the operator. The invention provides not only for the rapid and certain performance of the functions just described in connection with the making of a single exposure, but provides also for rapid replacement or changes in the copy and in the sensitized surface within the camera, and thus provides for making successive exposures one after another with great rapidity, as well as expediting the time required for making a single exposure. Other advantages of the invention will be pointed out in part hereinafter, the same cooperating with or flowing out of the foregoing, while other and furtherm advantages will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Referring in detail to the embodied form of camera, the camera body l is shown, havconnected therewithY the usual extensible and contractible bellows 9., the lens 3 being carried by a support 4 at the front end of the bellows. The lens supporting frame 4 is slidable to and fro upon guideways 5, in a well-known manner, to focus the camera.

Means are Vprovided for indicating the focus for different distances of the copy or other object to be photographed, and as embodied a pointer 6 is supported from the frame 4, the pointer cooperating with a scale 7 xed to the stationary frame 8. The foregoing cooperates with the size indicating or determining means on the copy carrier in a manner which will be explained hereafter. In the embodied form the invention is shown with a reversing prism 10, carried on a suitable support 11, in either fixed or adjustable relation with respect to the lens 3.

In the embodied form of copy holder, means are provided for expeditiously and accurately moving the copy holder toward and from the camera and for positioning it for anydesired size or copy, and cooperating therewith means for automatically preserving the centering of the copy with respect to the camera at whatever distance it may be therefrom.

In the embodied form of the foregoing described means, two tracks 15 and 16 are provided preferably in fixed relation to the focal plane of the camera, that is, to the sensitized surface within the camera upon which the picture is t-aken. Mounted to run on the track 15 and 16 is a carriage 17, provided with wheels 18. The carriage 17 is provided with cross frames 19 and 20,

upon which are tracks 21 and 22. Mounted on the carriage 17 is a cross carriage 23 provided with wheels 25, running on the tracks 21 and 22. The carriage 23 is provided with uprights 26 which support the copy holder 27.

In the embodied form of centering means for the copy holder there are provided means cooperating with the mechanism just described and traveling or moving the copy board transversely in either direction simultaneously with its movement toward or .from the camera, thereby keeping the copy always centered in the camera notwithstanding the movement of the lens and prism for focusing. Referring to the embodied construction in detail, the carriage 23 is provided with a. bracket 30, which extends outwardly andl downwardly. Bracket 3() is preferably provided with a roller 31, engaging with suitable guiding means, such as a slot 32 formed in a board or other suitable member 33 extending'- longitudinally between the tracks 15 and 16.

Means are provided for indicating the positions of the copy board for the various desired sizes of reproduction. In the embodied form thereof, a pointer 34 is fixed on the.`

carriage 17 and cooperates with a scale 35, extending along beside the tracks 15 and 16. rIlie scales 7 and 35 will be correspondingly or cooperatively marked. That is, if a reduction to one-eighth is desired, this figure or other equivalent mark, is made at the proper point on both the scales 7 and 35, and

y bringing the respective pointers6 and 34 to these positions, the copy will be correct in size and will be in focus and absolutely centered without any examination or adjustment of the image or of the mechanism by an operator.

Means are provided for holding the copy at the desired point,l and in the embodied form thereof there is provided on the carriage 17 a locking device engaging and disengaging with one of the tracksy 15 or 16. As

embodied, a fixed jaw 36 extends down from the carriage 17 on one side of the track 15, and one the other side of the track is a c0- operating jaw 37, which is pivoted at 38 upon the carriage 17. The jaw 37 is provided with a tail 39, with which cooperates a camming lever 40 (Fig. 9). When the lever is thrown in one direction, the jaws 3.6 and 37 are opened, and when thrown in the other direction, to the position shown in Fig. 9, the jaws bite the track and hold the carriage 17 firmly and accurately in the desired position.

Referring` to the embodied construction, the copy holder is pivotally supported upon the uprights 26, to rock between the ceiving and discharging position, and the exposing or photographing position. A glassl or other transparent surface 45 is mounted in the frame 46 of the pivoted copy holder, the copy being pressed against the lglass 45 when in the exposure or photographing position. The support for the copy holder is shown as one or more hinges 47. Upon the uprightsv 26 there is preferably provided aninclined, horizontally disposed shelf 48, whereon the copy frame 46 rests when swung back into position to receive anddischarge copy. The copy holder may be rocked, after the copy has been inserted, from this full line position shown in Fig. 8 to the dotted line position shown in the same figure to be photographed, and is rocked back to the full line position for the removal of the used copy and the presenta- A tion at the glass 45 of the new copy.

Means are provided for yieldingly holding the copy firmly in position, such means being readily retractable, preferably by the Xfoot of the operator or otherwise, so as to leave both hands free to handle the copy. As embodied, a plate 49 is fixed upon a stem 50, a helical spring 51 being coiled about the stem. Attached to the stem 50 is a chain or other copy resuitable connection 52 to a foot lever 53,I

which is pivoted at 54 upon the carriage frame 23.A The operator can place his foot upon the lever 53, as shown in Fig. 8, and the plate 49 will be retracted against the pressure of the spring 51, when the copy will be removed and fresh copy inserted. Thereupon the operatorremoves his foot and spring 51 will press the copy firmly and smoothly against the glass 45. The point of juncture of the stem 50 and connection 52 is kept substantially at or closely contiguous to the pivot point of the copy holder, so as to avoid putting suchstrain on the spring 51 as to disturb the copy between the time of its insertion and its removal t-h use of the lever 53.

Means are provided by the invention f or using books in the copy holders,-and in Fig. l0 the plate 49 is shown bi-partite, with .independent spiing inountings and actuating means therefor at either side to accommodate different thicknesses on either side of the book, as will be clearly understood from Fig. l0. In turning from one page of the` book to another, it will not be necessary to remove the book, but ineiely to ease back the plates 49 with the foot lever 53, insert a blade or other convenient device between the leaves of the book, and by movement thereof shift the intervening leaf or leaves across and permit the plates 49 to again press the book against the glass 45.

Means are provided by the invention for keeping the illuminating means in definite relation to the copy notwithstanding changes ough the in position of the latter, so as to maintain a uniform intensity of illumination, and thus retain accurate control of the time of exposure. lamp or lamps 56 is provided upon the carriage 23, the lights being thus always at a desired or predetermined fixed distance from the copy throughout all changes in position both longitudinally and transversely of the copy holder.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, and as embodied, there is provided within the camera a web of light-sensitive material for receiving successive exposures, lone after another, so that it is only neces-- sary to feed forward the web y, for the space or distance occupied by an exposure between the successive exposures. In connection therewith, means are provided for readily inserting an unexposed roll, for removing, an exposed roll, or a portion thereof, and for threading t'he web through the camera. As embodied a roll 6C),l of sensitized film, paper or other suitable material is carried upon a shaft or mandrel 6l, the shaft 61 being rotatably supported in side frame pieces 62. In the frame pieces 62 are provided slots 63, preferably primarily upwardly and then downwardly disposed or directed, so that the roll 60 may be easily and readily lifted into position, and will then remain therein until intentionally removed.

The web or strip y of light sensitive material is presented at, and guided past, the focal plane or plane of exposure of the camera by suitable means. The embodied form thereof comprises in part a pair of cooperating guide andfeed rollers 64 and 65. The roller 64 is preferably maintained in fixed position, the roller 65 being spring-pressed thereagainst and also movable toward and away therefrom to facilitate the introduction of a new web or strip y into the camera.

The embodied form of means for effectslightly upwardly As embodied, a support 55 for a.

ing these functions comprises a pair of slots 66 (Figs. 2 and 3) formed 1n the frame plates 62, the pintles 67 of the roller 65 projecting through the respective slots 66. The pintles 67 are acted upon by springs 68, which tend to press the roller 65 resiliently toward the roller 64 with the strip y therebetween. When the roller 65 is lifted upward by the operator it will pass to and be 'held in the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby maintaining the rolls 64 and 65 in separated position while the strip is threaded therethrough and when the roll 65 is drawn and to the right in Fig. 3 it willl pass to the spring-pressed feeding position shown in Fig. 2.

A device may be provided to mark the locations of the exposures, such as a point 59 on roller 64, so thatthe exposures may be located on the strip previous to development if desired.

A second pair of rolls 69 and 70 are shown cooperating with the web y upon the opposite side of the place vof exposure in the camera, and these rolls preferably are similar in opeiation and construct-ion to the rolls 64 and 65, already described. rllie means for holding ott' the roll 70 during the threading through of the web, and permitting it to press resiliently against the web during the feeding forward thereof, are indicated in Fig. 2. y

Means are provided by the invention for accurately measuring and positioning the successive exposures made upon the sensitive web y and in the embodied form thereof, there is provided on the exterior of the camera (Fig. 4) an arm 72 fixed on the shaft 73 of the roller 64. Cooperating with the arm 72 is a spring stop 74, (Figs. 4 and 5). The arm 72 normally engages the stop 74, and thus the st rip y is\held stationary. After an exposure is niade,-the operator Lpresses back the spring 74 so as to clear the arm 72, which arm rotates with the forward feed of the strip or web y, but as the arm completes its rotation it engages again with the stop 74 after the web y has been fed forward just sufficiently for the-next exposure.

Means are provided for drawing forward and rewinding the strip or web Q, and the embodied form thereof comprises the shaft 76 having pintles 77 journaled in supporting frames or plates 78 at the sides of the camera. Oife of the pintles 77 (Fig. 6) is slotted or kerfed at its end, to receive the tongued end of a longitudinally slidable shaft 79. Shaft 79 is provided with suitable turning means, such as a crank or hand-wheel 80. The shaft 79 is j ournaled in the camera wall,

generally by reference numeral 7l v llO or other suitable support 8l, to have the ing .the shaft 79 in engagement with the pin- Y tles 77. If the spring 83 be pressed backlWardly, shaft 79 may be moved longitudinally and the shaft 'or mandrel 76 may be removed and replaced, and after reengagement of pintles 77 With the 'shaft 79, spring 83 Will cause them to always rotate together.

In Fig. 7 a hollow cylinder 84, which may be of paisteboard, metal, orv other .suitable material is shown as a support for the re- Wound roll of the sensitized `web y after exposure. The tube Set may be slipped upon the shaft 7 6. rI`ube 84 may have a slot 86 therein,vengaging with a spline or feather 87 on the shaft 76 to cause the tube to rotate with the shaft, While permitting ready removal and'replaceiiient thereof.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the interior of the camera cominunicates preferably permanently With the dark room, thereby obviating and avoiding the employment of plate oi' roll holders, and the transporting of the light sensitive rolls or plates to and from the dark i'ooin and camera before and after exposing. As embodied (Figs. l, 2 and 44) the camera body 1 opens at the rear through the Wall 8S of the dark room. Thus no closure is required for the end of the camera, which may be always open, and always accessible to the oper-` ator, who may remove the exposed roll 85 in Whole or in part, and may carry it to the developing apparatus Without any cov# ering or protection, and just as thecondition or eXigencies of the Work in the dark room may permit or require. If the use of a plate or plates at any time is requisite or convenient, they may be placed in the camerain the dark room and removed after eir posure in the same free and unguarded manner as'the strip or Web y and developed in the dark room. It Will be understoodv that the term prism IWill include any suitable reversing device..

The invention in its aspects is not limited to the precise constructions herein shown and described, nor to any particular details lof construction, but changes may be made therein Without departing from the principles of the invention, and Without sac'- rificing its chief advantages.

IVhat I claim is 1. A photographic mechanism including in combination a camera, a copy holder traveling to and from the cameraJ to regulate the size of reproduction, (the axis of the camera being at an angle to that of the copyholder, and means including a guiding device arranged along the path of travel of the copy holder toward and from the camera and a member cooperating Wb'ith 4the copy holder for automatically causing the copy yholder to travel transversely as it 4moves to or from the camera to keep the copy centered relatively to the camera.

meanspfor guiding them independently andA -in transverse paths with respect to each other to change the size of an image, means f operated automatically by the movement along one of said paths for moving the copy holder transversely to its path to preserve it in centeredrelation with respect to the camera in its dilfei'ent positions.

3. A photographic mechanism including in combination a camera. a copy holder, means for guiding them independently and in transverse paths ivith respect to each other to change the size of an image, means operated automatically by the movement along one .of said paths for moving the copy holder transversely to its path to preserve it in centeredrelation With respect to the camera in its different positions and means along the pathway of bothcamera and copy holder for indicating the common rdistances of the copy and corresponding focus points of the camera.

4. A photographic mechanism including in combination a camera, a copy holder, A, means for guiding them independently and.

in transverse paths With respect to each other,.means operated automatically by the travel of the copy holder for moving the copy holder transversely to its path to preserve it in centered relation With respect to the camera in its different positions andv -mea-ns along the pathway of both camera and copy holder for indicating the common distances o'f the copy and corresponding focus points of the camera.

6. `A photographic mechanism including in combination a camera, a co y holder, means for guiding them indepe `gently and in transverse paths With res ect to each other, means operated automatically bythe movement along one of said paths for moving the copy holder transversely'to its path to preserve it in centered relation With respect to the lens of the camerafor the particular position of the copyholder along its path. v

`7. A photographic mechanismlincluding in combination a trackvvay for a copyholder, a carriage running along the ytrackway, a trackway on the carriage vdisposed transversely to the first-mentioned trackway, a copy holder and its carriage running on the trackyvay on the first-mentioned carriage, a I

mentioned traclnvay, means for moving the camera transversely to said first-mentioned tracku'ay to maintain it in focal relation With the copy holder, and means for moving the copy holder and its carriage upon said first-mentioned carriage to maintain the copy holder in centered relation to the came-ra.

8. A photographic mechanism including in combination a tracliWay for a copyholder, a carriage ruiming along the trackway, a tracku'ay on the carriage disposed transversely to the first-mentioned trackivay, a copy holder and its carriage ruiming on the trackway on the rst-mentioned carriage, a camera positioned at an angle to the firstmentioned trackway, means for moving the camera transversely to said first-mentioned traclrway to maintain it in focal relation With the copy holder7 and means for moving the copy holder and its( carriage upon said first-mentioned carriage to continuously maintain the copy holder in centered relation to the camera.

.9. A` photographic mechanism including in combination a tracku'ay for a copyholder, a carriage running along the trackvvay, a trackvvay on the carriage disposed transversely to the first-mentioned trackway, a copy holder and its carriage running on the trackway on the first-mentioned carriage, a camera positioned at an angle `to the iirstmentioned trackway, means for moving the camera transversely to said first-mentioned trackway to maintain it in focal relation With the copy holder, a trackvvay extending along and disposed obliquely with respect to said first-mentioned trackway and connection therefrom to the copyholder to maintain the copyholder in centered position withv respect to the cameray as the camera is moved to maintain a focused relation With the copyholder in its various positions along the first-mentioned trackway.

10. A photographic mechanism including in combination a trackvvay, a carriage running freely along the trackway, a copy holder mounted upon the carriage and movable transversely with respect thereto, and means for moving the copy holder to and maintaining it in a predetermined position With respect to its carriage for every position of the carriage along its trackway. ay camera positioned at an angle to the trackway and means for moving the camera transverselyT to the trackvvay to focus the copy.

11. A photographic mechanism including in combination a trackvvay, a carriage running freely along the trackway, a copy holder mounted upon the carriage and movable transversely with respect thereto, and means for moving the copy holder to and maintaining it in a predetermined position with respect to its carriage for every position of the carriage along its trackWay, a.

camera positioned at an angle to the track- Way and means for moving the camera transversely to thel traekvvay to focus the copy and means for fastening the carriage in position on the trackway.

l2. A photographic mechanism including in combination a trackway for a copyholder, a carriage running along the trackway, a trackvvay on the carriage disposed trancvcrsely to the first-mentioned trackway, a copy holder and its carriage running on the trackway on the first-mentioned carriage, a camera positioned at an angle to the firstmentioned trackWay, means for moving the camera transversely to said first-mentioned trackway to maintain it in focal relation With the copy holder, and means for moving the copy holder and its carriage upon said first-mentioned carriage to maintain the copy holder in centered relation to the camera and a copy illuminating light mounted on the copy holder carriage.

13. A photographic mechanism including in combination a trackvvay, a carriage running freely along the trackway, a copy holder mounted upon the carriage and movable transversely With respect thereto, and means for moving the copy holder to and maintaining it in a predetermined position with respect to its carriage for every position of the carriage along its trackway, a camera positioned at an angle to the track- Way, and means for moving the camera transversely to the trackway to focus the copy and means for fastening the carriage in position on the trackway and a copy illuminating light mounted in fixed relation to the copyholder and movable therewith on sai-d carriage.

14. A photographic mechanism including in combination-iz camera having its back fixed to a room Wall and having a movable front with a lens and reversing device and a guide therefor, a trackway on the room floor disposed at right angles to the camera guide- Way` a carriage freely movable. along the t-raclrway, a copy holder mounted upon and movable at right angles to the carriage, and means for moving the copy holder to focus the copy and means for automatically maintaining it in a predetermined position upon its carriage With respect to the camera for every position of the carriage along lts trackway. y

l5. A photographic mechanism including in combination a camera having its back fixed to a room Wall and having a movable front with a lens and reversing device and a guide therefor, a trackway on the room door disposed at right angles to the camera guideway, a carriage freely movable along the trackvvay, a copy holder mounted upon and movable at right angles to the carriage, and means for moving the copy holder to and maintaining it in a predetermined p0- llO sition upon its carriage With respect to every position of the carriage along its trackway and means for fastening the carriage in position upon its trackWay. y

16. A photographic mechanism including in combination a camerahaving its back fixed to a room Wall and having a movable front with a lens and reversing device and a guide therefor, a traclzway on the room floor disposed at right angles to the camera guideway, a carriage freelyxmovable along the trapckway, a copy holder mounted upon and movable at right angles to the carriage, and a track extending along but obliquely With respect to said first-mentioned track- Way and connections therefrom to the copy holder for moving the copy holder to and maintaining it in apredet-ermined position upon its carriage with 'respect to every position of the carriage along' its trackway.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specifica-tion.

FRANK T. `vPOWERS. l 

